Apparatus for humidifying and cleansing air.



PATENTED new. 13, 1904.

J. W. FRIES. v APPARATUS FOR HUMIDIF'YING AND CLEANSING AIR.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 4, 1903.

' NO MODEL.

Jirveniar w M .VI/ll/lIl/Il/lll/IIII I UNITED STATES Patented October 18, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

APPARATUS FOR HUMIDIFYING AND CLEANSING'AIR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 772,655, dated October 18, 1904.

' Application filed March 4, 1903.

To all whom it may concern/.-

Be it known thatI, J OHN W. FRIES, of Winston Salem,-county of Forsyth, State of North Carolina, have invented an Improvement in Apparatus for Humidifying and Cleansing Air, of which the'following is a specification. My invention has reference to apparatus for humidifying and cleansing air; and it consists of certain improvements fully set forth in the following specification andshown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof. J

The object of my invention is twofold namely, toregulatethe humidity of the air within any confined space, such as a large room, factory, or auditorium, and to collect and remove all dust and floating particles of dirt or deleterious matters frornthe air, thereby purifying and freshening it.

My object is also to chemically treat the air for disinfectingpurposes when such treatment is necessary. In many instances it isimportant to add moisture to an otherwise dry atmosphere to increase the humidity, whetherit be for facilitatin g manufacturing operationsor for hygienic reasons and comfort. Thus, for instance, in textile mills when the atmosphere is too dryz'. 6., its hygrometric condition too low in humiditythe. cotton becomes under the ordinary manipulation electrified,

with the result that the fiber ends stand out and give to it a more or less fuzzy appearance.

This condition interferes materially in the,

textile'operations'of producing cloth. invention the humidity may be increased to the proper degree to secure such hygrometric conditions as will overcome this abnormal tendency of the yarn to become electrified.

In many mills the atmosphere becomes so heavily laden with floating particles of dust that, aside from being dangerous on account of fire, it is most'objectionable and injurious to the workmen and girls employed in oper' By my invention all of ating the machines. the objectionable floating particles may be extracted from the air and the latter brought to a fresh and healthful condition.

In carrying out my invention I provide means to act upon air and a supply of water whereby the air carries the water in suspension Serial No. 146,182. (No model.)

to a circulating device which imparts to it a centrifugal and rotary action for the'purpose of spreading the water out upon the interior surface of a cylindrical shell and for causing the air to take a spiral path over the surface of said film of water,whereby it becomes humidified to the proper degree. When this is done, the air and water are caused to pass through a discharge opening and guide which collects the water and removes it and also separates the humidified air and directs it into the room. This same operation purifies the air, because the action of the moisture is such that'it causes the floating particles to sepaproper working of the cotton, but it is washed or cleansed and brought toa condition It is evident that these same conditions are or places where people maycongregate, and

hence my invention is adapted to such purposes. Where'it is desired to simplyelimimay be omitted only employed I i In carrying outmymventi'on in its prehygroscopic chemicals lating-fan at the other and closed end. I Into the central'portion of the tubular casing air is sucked by the action of the fan andgi'ven an outward and reversed movement, so as to travel backward through the tubular case and escape at the end most distant from the fan. Combined with the said parts I provide a nozzle for supplying a spray of Water or other front of the fan, whereby the fluid .is inter mingledwith the circulating air and caused by centrifugal action to spread out upon the only brought to the right condition for the .nate excessive moisture, such as exists oni'very humld days 1n summer, the supply of"water rate from theair and become absorbed by the most healthful and pleasantto the operatives.

most desirable in large hallsand'auditoriums ferred form I'employ a tubular case having a" central inlet at one, or open, end and a circufluid within the central portion of'the casein IOO inner surface of the tubular case ina-thin film, and the air assumes a spiral and progressing motion over this film of water and absorbs the necessary amount of moisture and is also subjected to the desired cleansing operation. At the discharge end of the case it is provided with means for permitting the air to escape into the room, whereas the water is collected into a suitable funnel and discharged through a drain-pipe.

Where chemicals are to be used for disinfecting or other purpose, I place them within an open vessel supported in the path of the inflowing air, so that it is caused to pass over such chemicals in reaching the fan.

My invention also embodies details of construction which, together with the above general features, will be better understood by reference to the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of an apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of same on line 2 2 looking toward the circulating-fan end, and Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line 3 8 looking toward the discharge end.

A is a east-iron head and has a central opening Gr, formed by a 1earwardly-extending circular flange. It is also provided with a downwardly-extending portion N, terminating in a funnel P, connecting with a discharge or waste pipe 19. Fitted to the outer flange B of the head A is a cylindrical or tubular case or shell D, of sheet metal, the opposite end thereof being closed by a cast-metal cap E, flanged, as at a, to receive the end of the said sheet-metal shell. Bolts (Z are employed to clamp the head A and cap E upon the tubular shell D. A conical inwardlydirected flange F is arranged within the case D adjacent to the head A, the smaller and open end f being directed inward toward the fan H. This fan is so designed that it draws in the air through the aperture G and central part of the tubular case D and discharges it radially over the fan and tangentially therefrom under centrifugal action against the inner surface of the ease D. The fan, as shown, consists of a closed back H and a series of radial blades J, extending forward from the back. These blades may be connected at the front part by an annular ring-piece H to form apertures or passages I between the blades J near the hub of the fan for better directing the movement of the air. This fan is rotated by a shaft K, journaled in a suitable frame L and driven by a handwheel M, or, if desired, by any of the wellknown means for driving fans now in commercial usesuch, for example, as the direct application of an electric motor. The frame L is secured to the cap E and is adapted for attachment to the ceiling or other convenient place. The head A is also provided with a support L, likewise adapted for attachment to the ceiling. By means of these frames L and L, the entire apparatus may be suspended in suitable position.

Arranged at the front entrance G- is a water-nozzle R, which preferably extends inward close to the hub of the fan, by which water or fluid may be sprayed or otherwise admitted, and thereby be drawn into the apparatus by the incoming rush of air passing to the fan H.

The air passing through the head A takes up the water, and both are forced outwardly against the inner surface of the case I) and outwardly discharged through the aperture 0 into the discharge guide or flue O, which is preferably a curved downwardly-arranged flanged sheet terminating in the funnel P at the bottom for carrying off the water. It is open on the side at O for allowing the humidified air to escape into the room.

The opening C in the cylindrical shell I) is quite large, and one edge of said opening is continued in the curved and flanged plate O, which is gradually reduced in width until its smaller end enters the funnel P, as shown. In this way the rotary currents of air and water traveling along the interior of the shell pass outward upon the curved plate 1), with the result that the water enters the funnel P and the air freely escapes into the atmosphere. The pipe drains the dirty water from the apparatus and leads it to the sewer.

The conical flange F properly guides the rotary currents of air and water and directs them into the opening 0. The flange F prevents the water climbing to the flange G- and being thrown back with the incoming air, and in this way the air is prevented from becoming overladen with moisture. Once the sepa ration of the air and water takes place on the inner surface of the wheel D it is not desired that they shall commingle again. It is of course evident that this conical flange F may be cast integral with the head A and that the tubular flange G may be dispensed with and the opening f in the flange F relied upon for entering air.

There is an opening f" between the space F between the flange G and the conical flange F, which opens into the discharge-aperture C, so as to allow the escape of any water which may find access into said space without again commingling with the air.

The operation may be described as follows: The fan being in motion and air circulating as indicated by the arrows, water is admitted by the nozzle R in the requisite quantity to provide the humidity desired and also the water necessary to produce the washing op eration and film over which the air is forced. This admixture of air and moisture is drawn through the central portion of the case to the center of the fan G with considerable force and driven outward under the centrifugal action of the said fan. This fan is so shaped that it causes the moisture-laden air to flow backward ad acent to the inner face of the case or shell D with great rotary and centrifugal action, creating, in effect, spiralcurrents with horlzontal axis. By thls means the water, owing to its greater specific gravity, is-

air is caused to move over a surface of water and press upon it with considerable force, and thereby take up the proper degree of moisture in the shortest period of time to secure the desired humidity. The centrifugal action of the air in its rotary motion continues to assist in holding the water against the interior surface of the shell and to keep it from settling to the bottom thereof.- Itthus maintains the water film in the most effective condition and causes it to gradually travel toward the discharge end, while at the same time inducing it to take up any floating particles which the air may contain. When the air and water reach the head conical flange F, the

rotary action continues until they escape through the opening C, the air escaping into theatmosphere and the water passing over the discharge guide-plate O and into the waste-pipe 10. The air passes tangentially through the open side O of the guide-plate 0 into the room. The conical flange F prevents the rotary currents of air passing out of entranceG interfering with the incoming air or the flow of water to said opening G. The degree of humidityof the air so treated maybe determined by the use of any wellknown type of hygrometer arranged close to the apparatus.

The admixture of the water and air in the first instance, coupled with the frictional treatment between the two at and after leaving the fan,'insures the thorough washing and cleanse ing of the air and clears itof all floating particles of deleterious matters. In those cases where the air is to be treated chemically'for disinfecting purposes or for other reasons, such as the removal of carbonic acid or removing excessive moisture, I employ a vessel S, (indicated in dotted lines,) which may .be of any suitable form in which the chemicalssuch as calcium chlorid, caustic soda. or sulfurous acid-may be placed. This-vessel may be supported upon guide-ribs g on the inner face of the tubular flange G very much like a drawer. In practice the vessels may beseal ed cans, and for use the top be torn off; so as to expose the contents. Any other method of introducing the chemicalsmay be resorted to, if desired.

It is evident that I may modifythe general arrangement and details of the apparatus in many ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. Hence I do not confine myself to the minor details shown.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v I 1. In an apparatus for cleansing and humidifying air, the combination of a horizontal tubular shell closedat one end and having the other provided with a central aperture surrounded by an annular channel. open at the bottom, a circulating-fan arranged close to the closed end of the shell for creating a centrifugal and rotary motion to the air, a nozzle for supplying a fluid close to the center of the fan, and means leading from the open portion of the channel for conveying off thefluid and allowing the air to escape.

' 2. In an apparatus for cleansing and. hu-

midifying air, the combination of a horizontal tubularshell closed at one end and having the other provided with a central aperture surrounded by an annular channel open at the bottom, a circulating-fan arranged close to the closed end of the shell for creating a centrifugal and rotary motion to the air, a nozzle for supplying a fluid close to the center of the fan, and means leading from the open portion of the channel for conveying off the fluid and allowing the air to escape consisting of a curved flanged sheet'O tangentially connected with the edge of the opening from the channel at the bottom of the shell.

3. In an apparatus for cleansing and humidifying air, the combination of ahorizontal tubular shell closed at one end and having the other provided with a central aperture surrounded by an annular channel open at the bottom and also provided with upwardly-ex' tending supports or brackets for attaching the apparatus to the ceiling, acirculating-fan arranged close to the closed end of the shell for creating a centrifugal and rotary motion 3 to the air, a nozzlefor supplying a fluid close to the center of the fan, and means leading from the open aperture of the channel and extending downward for conveying off the fluid and allowing the air to escape. a

4:. In an apparatus. for cleaning and humidifying air, the combination of a cylindrical shell closed at one end and provided with an aperture through its lower part at its other end, a conical flange F secured within the shell at its open end forming a central opening f, a draining device secured to the aperture to collect the fluid and allow the air to escape a circulating-fan arranged at the closed end of the case for imparting a rotary JOHN W. FRIES.

Witnesses:

M. J. EYRE, R. M KnnLY. 

